Senate approves N50m support for families of slain Oyo teachers, soldiers

By Our Reporter

The Senate has approved a N50 million support package for the families of two teachers and three soldiers who lost their lives during the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The decision was announced on Wednesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary.

Under the arrangement, each of the five bereaved families will receive N10 million in recognition of the sacrifices made by the deceased during the tragic incident, which ended with the successful rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers after 56 days in captivity.

Announcing the donation, Akpabio described the deaths of the teachers and soldiers as a painful reminder of the human cost of Nigeria’s fight against insecurity.

He also commended the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies for successfully rescuing the victims.

“The Senate has approved a donation of N50 million to the families of five persons who lost their lives during the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

“The donation is intended to support the grieving families while recognising the ultimate sacrifices made by the deceased,” Akpabio said.

The beneficiaries include the families of teachers Michael Oyedokun and John Olaleye, as well as soldiers Lieutenant F.A. Isaac, Private Silas Musa, and Sergeant Abena John Jerome.

According to the principal of one of the affected schools, Oyedokun was beheaded by his captors while in captivity, while Olaleye was fatally shot during the initial attack on the school.

The three soldiers lost their lives during the military operation to rescue pupils and teachers who were abducted when gunmen attacked schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15.

Last Friday, the Presidency announced the successful rescue of all the abducted pupils and teachers.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed that security agencies rescued the victims after nearly two months in captivity.

He stressed that the release of the hostages was achieved without any concessions to the kidnappers.

According to Onanuga, although the abductors demanded the release of one of their leaders, the suspect remains in government custody and is facing prosecution.

The victims were kidnapped after armed men attacked three schools in the Ahoro Esiele/Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.

The affected schools were: Community Grammar School; Baptist Nursery and Primary School; and L.A. Primary School.

While the rescue operation ended the victims’ 56-day ordeal, it came at the cost of the lives of the three soldiers who participated in the mission.

The incident underscores the continuing security challenges facing Nigeria’s education sector, where schools have increasingly become targets for criminal gangs and kidnappers.

According to Save the Children International, at least 1,683 learners were abducted across Nigeria between 2014 and 2022.

Similarly, UNICEF estimates that insecurity forced the closure of 11,536 schools during the 2020/2021 academic session, disrupting education for approximately 1.3 million children.

Attacks on schools have continued in recent years, with incidents reported in Kebbi and Niger states in late 2025, alongside assaults on rural communities and places of worship.

Data from SBM Intelligence also indicate that Nigeria’s kidnap-for-ransom economy generated at least N2.57 billion for criminal groups between July 2024 and June 2025, while ransom demands during the period were estimated at N48 billion.

The Senate’s donation is intended to provide immediate support to the bereaved families while recognising the sacrifices of the teachers and soldiers whose lives were lost during efforts to rescue the abducted pupils and restore safety to the affected communities.